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ka-

prefix meaning fellow or recently completed

affix KA Grammatical origin Common

Usage Note

Ka- is a highly productive Tagalog prefix with two main uses: forming nouns meaning 'fellow' or 'co-' (as in kaibigan, friend), and in combination with -an denoting shared states. It also marks recently completed actions in some constructions, making it essential for building relational and social vocabulary.

Examples

Beginner

" Kapatid ko ang kabarkada mo. "

Natural Translation

Your buddy is my sibling.

Literal Translation

Sibling my the fellow-friend your.

Intermediate

" Siya ang ka-klase ko noong elementarya. "

Natural Translation

He/She was my classmate in elementary school.

Literal Translation

He/She the fellow-class my when elementary.

Advanced

" Naging ka-trabaho ko siya noong isang taon, at mula noon ay naging matalik na kaibigan na namin. "

Natural Translation

He/She became my co-worker last year, and since then has become a close friend of ours.

Literal Translation

Became co-worker my he/she last one year, and from then became close friend already our.

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